ANNIVERSARY In 1975, the Industrial Vehicles Corporation - or Iveco for short - was launched. The brand is celebrating this big birthday in mid-June with a four-day celebration and a year-long program of activities for customers.
Henrik Petro - May 9, 2025
The history of Iveco began in 1975 with the merger of five leading European commercial vehicle manufacturers: Fiat Veicoli Industriali based in Turin (which included Officine Meccaniche - OM - based in Brescia and Lancia Veicoli Speciali based in Bolzano), the French Unic based in Puteaux and the German Magirus-Deutz based in Ulm. Together they united over 150 years of engineering expertise and innovation under one name: Iveco, short for Industrial Vehicles Corporation. Iveco is celebrating its milestone birthday in style this year.
From 1980 onwards, the brand becomes known worldwide through a series of sports sponsorships. The company restructures its organization and launches new innovative products such as the TurboStar. In 1982, a joint venture for engine development was founded with Adolph Saurer AG. From 1986, Iveco expands with the acquisition of Ford Truck UK and in 1987 with the acquisition of Astra from Piacenza, followed in 1990 by the acquisition of Pegaso, the historic Spanish brand founded by the Empresa Nacional de Autocamiones (ENASA), and in 1992 Iveco takes over International Trucks Australia Ltd. Iveco secures the title of "International Truck of the Year" for the first time in 1992 with the Eurocargo and a year later with the EuroTech. From 1995, the company expands its business in China with the joint venture Naveco and launches a series of important products on the European market with new engines and commercial vehicles for goods and passenger transportation. In 1999, Iveco founded the Irisbus brand together with Renault Vehicules Industrielles, but became the sole owner in 2003.
Half-time: the brand takes off
The new millennium begins with new products that fundamentally revolutionize the model ranges: the new Daily, the Eurocargo, the Stralis and the Trak-ker. Two new, wholly-owned Iveco brands are created: Irisbus and Iveco Motors. The Daily is named Transporter of the Year 2000, the Stralis Truck of the Year 2003.
Iveco celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2005 with further successes in China, the sponsorship of the All Blacks rugby team, the marketing of Euro 4 and Euro 5 vehicles and the launch of the new Stralis and the redesigned Trakker and Eurocargo, also as 4×4 models. The new Citelis and Magelys from Irisbus, the EcoDaily and the Genlyon round off the first decade of the year 2000.
The new Stralis Hi-Way is named "Truck of the Year 2013", followed by the Eurocargo in 2016, while the new Daily wins the title of "International Van of the Year" for the second time in 2015. It repeated this success just three years later (2018) with the various Blue Power engines. In 2019, the joint venture Nikola Iveco Europe is founded with the Nikola Motor Company, which is completely taken over by Iveco in 2023. On December 31, 2021, the agreement on the spin-off of the Iveco Group from CNH Industrial is signed. The Iveco Group goes public on January 3, 2022.
Through various acquisitions, alliances and partnerships, the company has developed into a major player in global road transportation over these five decades, establishing itself as a manufacturer and supplier in key developed and emerging markets alike. The brand has a global presence with seven production sites and eight research and development centers in Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania and Latin America, as well as a nationwide dealer network with 3,500 sales and service outlets supporting customers in over 160 countries. Today, together with Astra, FPT Industrial, Heuliez, IDV, Iveco Bus and Iveco Capital, Iveco is part of a group of seven brands offering a comprehensive range of commercial vehicles, powertrains, buses, specialty vehicles and financial services.
Iveco celebrates one year
Honoring the past, celebrating the present and seizing future opportunities - that's what they've set out to do in 2025. "Over the past 50 years, Iveco has succeeded through collaboration and innovation. Our success is a testament to the collective effort of everyone who has been with us along the way - our employees, dealers, customers and partners," comments Luca Sra, President of the Iveco Group Truck Business Unit. "Together, we have built a brand that is ready to face the challenges of the future. We have helped shape the history of commercial mobility and feel empowered by our heritage and the strong foundations we have built."
The 50th anniversary celebrations will culminate in "50×Beyond", a four-day Iveco Group event from June 12-15 at Officine Grandi Riparazioni-OGR Turin. Iveco is celebrating the rich heritage that is deeply rooted in the Italian DNA, while illuminating a bold vision for the future. Turin - a pivotal city in Iveco's history, symbol of its Italian roots and headquarters of the Iveco Group - was chosen as the venue for this milestone event, reflecting the brand's deep connection to its roots. The event will bring together institutions, customers, investors, dealers, partners and all stakeholders who have contributed to building the brand's history and shaping its future. Iveco promises to "celebrate five decades of excellence and innovation". The event will serve as a platform for reflection, collaboration and inspiration, celebrating the company's achievements, recognizing the contributions of its employees and reaffirming pride in its heritage, while providing a glimpse into the next chapter of the journey.
https://www.tir-transnews.ch/branche/aus-fuenf-herstellern-wurde-einer-iveco-feiert-50-geburtstag/
